🍝 Rigatoni Pasta with Beef and Cheese
Here’s a delicious way to make rigatoni pasta with savory beef and plenty of cheese — comfort food that’s rich, hearty, and perfect for family dinners. You can bake it or make a creamy stovetop version depending on what you like. (Pillsbury.com)
🥩 Baked Rigatoni with Beef & Cheese (Casserole Style)
🛒 Ingredients (Serves ~6)
- 16 oz (about 450 g) rigatoni pasta
- 1 lb (450 g) ground beef
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2–3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 jars marinara or pasta sauce
- 1 cup heavy cream (optional for richness)
- 1 ½–2 cups shredded mozzarella
- Ricotta cheese or Parmesan (optional layers)
- Italian seasoning, salt & pepper
- Olive oil (Cooking with Casey)
👩🍳 Instructions
- Preheat oven: to about 375 °F (190 °C).
- Cook rigatoni: Boil in salted water until slightly al dente — it will continue cooking in the oven. Drain and set aside. (Cooking with Casey)
- Brown beef: In a skillet with a bit of olive oil, cook ground beef with onion and garlic until browned. Season with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. (Cooking with Casey)
- Make sauce: Stir in marinara sauce and heavy cream (if using) until well combined.
- Layer: In a baking dish, mix half the pasta with half the meat sauce. Add dollops of ricotta (optional) and part of the mozzarella.
- Top & bake: Add remaining pasta and sauce, top with mozzarella and Parmesan. Bake about 25–30 minutes until bubbly and golden. Let rest before serving. (Recipes by Clare)
💡 Tip: Cover with foil while baking if cheese browns too quickly. (Pillsbury.com)
🍲 Creamy Cheesy Beef Rigatoni (Stovetop Option)
🛒 Ingredients
- Rigatoni pasta
- Ground beef
- Butter + garlic
- Heavy cream
- Parmesan + mozzarella (or Italian cheese mix)
- Salt, pepper, parsley (Nina Dishes)
👩🍳 How to Make It
- Brown beef in a skillet, then set aside.
- Sauté garlic in butter until fragrant.
- Add cream, cheeses, and seasonings; simmer to make a rich cheese sauce.
- Toss with cooked rigatoni and beef; add pasta water if needed to adjust sauce thickness.
- Serve with extra Parmesan and fresh parsley. (Nina Dishes)
This version stays creamy and cheesy without baking — great when you want dinner fast. (Nina Dishes)
🧀 Variations You Can Try
- Three-cheese bake: mozzarella, cheddar, and Parmesan layered on top. (Cooking with Casey)
- Ricotta dots: add spoonfuls of ricotta between layers for extra creaminess. (Recipes by Clare)
- Veggie boost: mix in sautéed mushrooms, bell peppers, or spinach. (dudethatcookz.com)
📌 Serving tip: Pair this with a simple green salad or garlic bread for a complete meal.
Would you like a printable step-by-step recipe card for one of these versions?
